My hidden spice rack hack/kitchen fan

Materials: RATIONELL 60cm kitchen drawer + VINDRUM kitchen fan.

Description: When I were about to put up my kitchen fan in the corner of the kitchen, I soon discovered I needed a corner cabinet to mount it on, I began to build a custom made cabinet, just to hang the kitchen fan on. But I realized there were lots of space going to waste inside this “come to be, empty cabinet” And as it would be hanging a kitchen fan on the front of the cabinet, no door could be fitted to get access to it’s inside. I didn’t want one of those pull-out-under-the-cabinet-kitchen-fans as I wanted a retro feeling to the kitchen.

I then came up with my idea of hiding a spice rack inside the cabinet, a pull down spice rack to be precise. I rushed away to IKEA and got myself a standard kitchen drawer of 60cm width. Then my scheme of how to mount this began, I began drawing mechanisms of how it could be stowed away and still hold up a load of spice cans and bottles. I turned my head inside out and back again for about a week, then I finally got it!

Like an Eureka moment!

I got this old non working Honda civic hatchback in my yard, I ran out to it and dismounted the gas springs that held the rear window open to get access to the trunk, then I mounted the spring ends on the backside of the drawer in an A-shape and mounted the spring heads in the cabinet, in that way when pulling down the drawer the springs get compressed and line up horizontal behind the drawer.

This makes the drawer stay down and makes the springs push up once you push the drawer upwards and hold it up once fully closed, if the springs have the right pressure that is, mine needed 11kg of thrust to push them in individually. So theoretically it could hold up 22kg.

I’ve been using my hidden spice rack for about five years with not a single malfunction. It’s a reliable construction.

Unfortunately I can’t show the backside of the drawer and its construction, as it involves a major disassembly which I’m not willing to do. The ropes I added for looks, I’ve always loved mechanical things. So it’s optional if you want them or not.

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The Author

Jules IKEAHacker "I am Jules, the engine behind IKEAHackers and the one who keeps this site up and running. My mission is to capture all the wonderful, inspiring, clever hacks and ideas for our much loved IKEA items".

27 Responses to My hidden spice rack hack/kitchen fan

Just a note for those who don’t realize, heat is the enemy to the spice rack (as are moisture and light). Over the stove is not the ideal place but if you replenish them more frequently than the recommended 6-month interval, maybe it’s okay? Great build though.
djw

Nice work. The rationell drawers are grey. Did you lacquer it black?If someone wants to copy, you have to consider that there are different types of Rationell drawers in different countries. Some wouldn’t stay put on the rail.

I used the drawers that don’t stay put on the rails. The gas springs keeps it in place together with the rubber band pulling it back towards the inner corner of the construction. I used black chalkboard colour.

This is cool looking and a great design. However, I’ve heard its not a good idea to store spices near the stove because the heat and moisture will cause them to degrade much faster. I hope this doesn’t cause any issues for you.

I had that in mind and took it in consideration, as it’s behind the stove and stored up above inside a drawer, it doesn’t get that humid and hot, the kitchen fan takes care of most of the heat and moisture thankfully, and it’s a fast and easy access to slide it down and grab what you want, likewise it’s easy and fast to pull it away. Thank you all for the positive response =)

Forgot to mention, I also used the spice jars called DROPPAR from ikea, and the same picture ledge as ikeas ones called RIBBA, but I wanted them in oak, so I got them elsewhere, but the ikea ones works as well =)

Thank you for the comparison between me and the Swedish child book character “Pettson” I’ve got more small but clever improvements on my YouTube channel, they’re no ikea hacks, but may come handy to someone or just inspire.

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